Content Warning: The following article contains discussions of abuse and sexual assault.When fans think of anime, big shows such as Dragon Ball usually come to mind first, but despite being incredibly popular, it is bound to have haters because it is so widespread. Anime like One Piece and Dandadan are more loved, but they have aspects ranging from pacing and flanderization to crude and uncomfortable material. Still, despite a good deal of dislike, they are overall widely acclaimed.

However, there are anime series that are much more polarizing than these, with fans split between loving them or hating them. That is why this list will rank the ten most polarizing anime of all time based on the standard deviation of scores, mix of love and hate, controversial elements, and popularity. These ten anime are divisive among the anime community, so do you love or hate these series?

10

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Image via Science Saru

There are plenty of dark anime series out there, and while they can be critically acclaimed, their depressing nature often makes them polarizing. Devilman Crybaby follows Akira, a kind-hearted soul who turns into a demon during a sabbath. Despite doing everything he can to use his powers for good, Akira can’t help but get into trouble and attract other dangerous demons.

Devilman Crybaby went through the checklist of dark content and checked them all, from gore to sexual content, taboo themes, and a general mature vibe that didn’t sit well with many viewers. It won the anime of the year award at the Crunchyroll Awards, but its ratings are vastly different. From 10/10s to 5/10s to 1/10s, Devilman Crybaby is justified in any of these ratings depending on fan preferences, but it is still overall critically acclaimed.

9

‘School Days’ (2007)

Image via TNK

There are plenty of bad anime, but not many on this list, except for School Days, one of the most notorious anime shows of all time. The main character has a crush on a girl in his school, and when someone learns this, they work together to get him a date. However, what ensues is a weird love triangle that devolves into a murder spree.

School Days isn’t as polarizing as it is just bad or hated, regarded as one of the worst anime shows of all time. The plot is nonsensical, the characters are horribly written and generally just the worst, and the gore and sexual material are unnecessary and gross. However, there are still some fans who enjoyed him, meaning that no matter how bad the reviews are, it is still polarizing.

8

‘Made in Abyss’ (2017–Present)

Image via Crunchyroll

The last couple of entries on this list were pretty dark, and at first glance, fans might think Made in Abyss is different, but underneath its wholesome exterior is a dark and disturbing anime. A girl and a robot boy travel into the Abyss searching for answers about their mother and history, respectively, encountering horrific creatures and situations the further they go.

Made in Abyss has one of the greatest stories in manga, delivering a dark yet intriguing plot with fascinating worldbuilding. However, for everything good about it, this show has an equally bad aspect, mainly its depiction of the young characters. From the horrific violence they experience to the sexual scenarios, Made in Abyss divides the fanbase with the author’s obvious fetish.

7

‘Aku no Hana’ (2013)

Image via Zexcs

Anime doesn’t try new things as often anymore, unfortunately, because when they do, the results are mixed. Aku no Hana, also known as Flowers of Evil, follows a student after he commits a deed he regrets. Caught in the act, he is blackmailed to fulfill their darkest fantasies, caught in a spiral of traumatic experiences.

Aku no Hana already features a wildly sexual and dark plot, which always splits the audience. However, what made it so polarizing was its rotoscoping animation, which it used extensively. This animation does look weird and uncanny, but it is also visually distinct. Aku no Hana is an artistically ambitious anime, but weird art styles are a recipe for polarizing reviews.

6

‘Beastars’ (2019–2026)

Image via Netflix

Set in a world where anthropomorphic animals make up society, an uneasy tension resides between the carnivores and herbivores. Beastars follows a humanoid wolf, who tries to lie low after one of his classmates dies. However, his predatory instincts and interest in a unique rabbit create a troubling situation for him and the mysterious death of his classmate.

Whether fans refer to them as anthropomorphic or furries, it is a topic that spurs much debate and leads to many fans not watching certain shows. This general theme has already made Beastars polarizing, but the author’s weird fetishes can also be seen, creating an uncomfortable romance with weird moments.

5

‘Fire Force’ (2019–2026)

Image via Crunchyroll

Soul Eater is an incredibly popular anime, but the author also made Fire Force, a series that fans can’t seem to agree on. In a world where humans spontaneously combust into demon-like creatures, the firefighters exorcise these monsters. Shinra joins the 8th company to learn more about the mysterious circumstances surrounding his parents’ deaths.

Fire Force is a typical shōnen for the most part, but it has a unique vibe, premise, sound design, and moments that separate it from the rest. However, no matter how good the rest of the show is, there is one character who is always suddenly naked. This instantly shifts the vibe for the worse, ruining any serious or comedic impact that had previously been there. Some fans can look past this, but others can’t, making Fire Force a polarizing show, even if it is one of the best anime series on Crunchyroll right now.

4

‘Monogatari Series’ (2009–Present)

Image via SHAFT

A lot of anime are all about flashy moments and spectacular fights, but the Monogatari Series is different, delivering a dialogue-focused experience. Araragi is a normal human with the abilities of a vampire, which he uses to fight the physical manifestations of his friend’s mental illnesses. It is an endless fight against horrific monsters and depressing situations.

The Monogatari Series is one of the most unique anime shows on this list, becoming critically acclaimed because of its profound and well-written dialogue, distinct editing, and avant-garde style. However, it ruins whatever prestigious writing it had with perverted moments where the protagonist abuses female characters for jokes, some underage. This obviously creates a polarizing anime that fans love or hate.

3

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012–2020)

Image via A-1 Pictures

The Isekai genre is already polarizing because of a mix of unoriginality and weird storytelling, so naturally, there are a few controversial shows, such as Sword Art Online. A bunch of eager players hop into the new VR game, but they don’t realize that they will be stuck in the game. Death in the game means death in real life, prompting players to try to escape.

Sword Art Online quickly became one of the most popular anime series of all time because of its escapist fantasy and fun premise. However, it left what it did well in favor of incestuous moments, odd narrative choices, and generally poor writing. Sword Art Online is a very popular Isekai, but it is also one of the shows with the widest standard deviation, as reviews are never consistent.

2

‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ (2021–Present)

Image via Crunchyroll

Yet another Isekai lands on this list, this time being Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. After a stay-at-home loser dies, he is reborn as a child in a fantastical world. Not wanting to waste his new life, he becomes a powerful mage and travels across the world, but he still has plenty of flaws and traumatic experiences in store for him.

Ignoring its controversial aspects for now, Mushoku Tensei does feature some compelling character development and magical worldbuilding. Unfortunately, Rudeus is a controversial protagonist. Some fans justify his actions as flaws he will develop out of, and others can’t get over his disgusting behavior. Mushoku Tensei is the most polarizing modern anime at the moment.

1

‘Fairy Tail’ (2009–Present)

Image via A-1 Pictures

Fairy Tail technically still isn’t over, with a sequel manga currently running, even if fans haven’t heard much about it. The titular wizard guild is home to a plethora of odd characters, such as Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and Happy. Together, they take on dangerous missions, all the while a dark force threatens to reemerge.

While Mushoku Tensei is the most polarizing anime right now, Fairy Tail is the most polarizing of all time. A lot of fans have forgotten about it, so the hate has died off, but there was a time when everyone either loved this series or hated it more than anything. Fans have cited the overt fanservice, overuse of the power of friendship, and lack of a plot as criticisms, but others appreciate Fairy Tail‘s great arcs, endearing characters, emotional weight, and sense of adventure. Fairy Tail also used to be massive, sparking hate from other fanbases, resulting in its status as the most polarizing anime of all time.

Advertisement

Fairy Tail

Advertisement

Release Date

2009 – 2019-00-00

Advertisement

Directors

Shinji Ishihira

Writers

Advertisement

Hiro Mashima, Masashi Sogo

Franchise(s)

Fairy Tail

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 
• 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Some social media users are speculating whether Diamond Brown may have just revealed the gender of Chris Brown‘s alleged “new baby on the way.”

RELATED: What’s Goin’ On?! Diamond Brown Blasts Chris Brown Amid Telling Him To Worry About His “New Baby On The Way”

Some Social Media Users Speculate If Diamond Brown May Have Revealed Gender Of Chris Brown’s Alleged “Baby On The Way”

On Wednesday, February 18, an Instagram user with the handle @hannahanne13 slid into the comment section of Diamond Brown’s most recent photo post, asking, “Diamond – boy or girl ?”

Shortly after, Diamond commented back, writing, “@hannahanne13 boy.”

From that point, social media users began speculating if Diamond just revealed the gender of Chris Brown’s alleged “new baby on the way.” From there, more comments began rolling into the thread.

Before The Social Media Speculation About Gender, Diamond Brown Threw The Internet Into A Frenzy By Alleging That Chris Brown Has A “Baby On The Way”

As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier on February 18, Diamond Brown, the mother of Chris Brown’s youngest daughter, Lovely, accused the singer of having a baby on the way. Additionally, he allegation arrived amid her telling him to leave her alone.

Afterward, Diamond replied to a separate Instagram user who hopped into her comment section, writing, “bye girl… you never thought you was the last”

From there, Diamond clapped back, revealing the reason she was upset with Chris. Ultimately, she explained that she isn’t mad about him moving on. But she wants him to let her do the same.

Has The Singer Clarified The Claim?

From there, Chris Brown’s rumored girlfriend, Jada Wallace, blasted Diamond Brown. Wallace alleged that Diamond is keeping Lovely away from Chris. Furthermore, Jada accused Diamond of dating Chris’s friends to get a “rise” out of him.

In turn, Diamond shared a lengthy message, denying Wallace’s claim but ultimately doubling down on her claim of Jada being pregnant.

By the end of the night, Chris Brown had seemingly weighed in on the drama. However, he shed no light on whether Diamond’s “baby on the way” allegation was true.

RELATED: The Last Word? Jada Wallace Shares Interesting Photo After Viral Back-And-Forth With Diamond Brown

Hailey Bieber Gushes About Jack Blues

The Socialite Gave Birth In 2024

Justin And Hailey Bieber Share Responsibilities

The Couple Feels Protective Over Their Child

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Beloved actor Eric Dane has passed away at the age of 53 after his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Known for his work in Grey’s Anatomy, Dane starred in shows like Euphoria and even played a character with ALS on the NBC series Brilliant Minds opposite Zachary Quinto. The news was confirmed by Eric Dane’s family in the following official statement:

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

Dane became a household name as “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy. The character, also known as Dr. Mark Sloan, is still a favorite for fans of the show and a beloved part of the 22 seasons of the show. Later, he went on to play Nate Jacobs’ (Jacob Elordi) father in the HBO series Euphoria and has continued to be a fan favorite every time he appears in something. That was Dane’s charm as an actor, fans always loved to see him take on a new role.

Advertisement

Eric Dane’s Legacy Is One Fans Continue to Enjoy

Image via Prime Video

While Dane became a voice for the ALS community after his diagnosis, including his episode of Brilliant Minds, his past work is also something many will still connect with. His Prime Video series Countdown, where he starred opposite Jensen Ackles, was filmed after his diagnosis but was the first series fans watched with him in it knowing about his ALS journey. There are so many shows that fans turn to when thinking about Dane. An entirely new group of fans learned to hate his role on Euphoria while the older generation loved Mark Sloan. His work is beloved and for a good reason, he was one of the best actors out there, and he will be missed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

March 27, 2005

Directors

Advertisement

Rob Corn, Kevin McKidd, Debbie Allen, Chandra Wilson, Allison Liddi-Brown, Jeannot Szwarc, Tony Phelan

Writers

Shonda Rhimes, Julie Wong, Jen Klein, Tameson Duffy, Meg Marinis

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 
• 

  Chandra Wilson

  Dr. Miranda Bailey

  Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Eric Dane rose to fame in the early 2000s after he was introduced to fans as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloane on Grey’s Anatomy in 2006.

After his (spoiler alert) onscreen death in 2012, the actor moved on from his stint at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital and to tackle other roles. While Dane has appeared in several movies over the years, various TV series have defined the bulk of his career. The actor starred as Tom Chandler on The Last Ship from 2014 to 2018 before taking on Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, a role he’s held since 2019.

Dane’s personal life has also made headlines throughout his career, including many ups and downs with wife Rebecca Gayheart. In April 2025, Dane — age 52 at the time — announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS. He died less than one year later.

Keep scrolling to look back at the actor through the years:

Jason Bateman Says Marriage Tension Forced A Sobriety Decision

Bateman’s Hard-Party Reputation Delayed Romance With Amanda Anka

Jason Bateman Went Wild After Early Acting Success

Bateman Says Respect Became His Focus

Oh Na-Na, What’s Her Age?!
RIHANNA TURNS 38!
Get Her Glow With FENTY Skincare

Published
February 20, 2026
12:05 AM PST

About 30 minutes into the Season 2 premiere of Apple TV’s most underrated slow-burn mystery, The Last Thing He Told Me, Jennifer Garner’s watchful and pragmatic Hannah Hall gets attacked in her own home. At first, the chilling break-in finds her genuinely shaken, but in the moments that follow, something shifts as she fights back. Stepping far from the simmering tone of the streamer’s debut in 2023, the sequence isn’t flashy or stylized in a way more suited to Garner’s iconic Sydney Bristow in Alias. Instead, it gives the vibe of someone who has spent five years waiting for this very moment.

This unsettling, edge-of-your-seat moment serves as the meat of The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2. While the first season was about Hannah being thrown into chaos, the show’s return is more about what happens when you’ve been living with that underlying mess for so long that it becomes part of you. In what feels like a totally (and tonally) different show, it’s almost as if Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine-produced series, based on the books by New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave, represents more than a mere tweak or reset. The mystery framework is still intact across Season 2’s eight episodes, but it’s been built into something sharper and more propulsive.

What Is ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ Season 2 About?

One of the smartest things the Apple TV show has done is stop pretending that the mystery is the point of everything. While Season 1 was about Owen’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) disappearance and his murky past, Season 2 doesn’t waste time on setup. Instead, we see Owen has been living off the grid for five years and working undercover for U.S. Marshal Grady (Augusto Aguilera), snapping photos from rooftops and trying to dismantle the powerful and wealthy Campano family. He also sneaks a visit to see Hannah while in disguise, but none of it is ever romanticized. If anything, Owen is positioned as a wrecking ball to the stability that Hannah and his daughter, Bailey (Angourie Rice), have built in their new home in Los Angeles.

Season 2 is really a story about a family reuniting under pressure, and Owen’s goal is simple on paper — finish the job, get out clean, and return home — but the show never pretends that the fix is easy. His years-long absence compounds all the damage of being kept in the dark following his abrupt exit in Season 1. Hannah and Bailey have been doing well on their own. Bailey is older, more independent, in college, and has a boyfriend, but while Hannah maintains a normal life, she’s also quietly built systems that speak to her instinct for danger. When she’s attacked early in the first episode, “Cape Cod,” and instinctively fights back, it’s equal parts scary and inevitable. This is a woman who has been creating contingency plans, securing emergency funds, and training for self-defense in the park with her instructor for nearly half a decade.

As things begin to get messy and some mysterious men are in pursuit of the pair (along with two others trailing Hannah and Bailey), the tension is never just about outside threats closing in, but rather the internal ones that rely on someone else always controlling the narrative. With Bailey needing answers about her mother, she gets mixed up with a member of the Campano family, Quinn (Judy Greer), despite everyone warning her against it. Naturally, Hannah is stuck in the middle, trying to protect her daughter while also figuring out what kind of life they can have with Owen, which is why Season 2 isn’t less of a whodunit and more of a pressure-cooker story about whether this trio can stay together once the truth finally stops being optional.

‘The Last Thing He Told Me’s Cast Gets a Bigger Playground for Season 2

While Garner has always been the beating heart of the Apple TV series, Season 2 gives her a lot more momentum than Season 1. This isn’t to say she plays Hannah like an action star; she also balances the character’s fatigue with a capability that feels more earned than anything. Even when Hannah is calm or thinking things through, Garner gives her a constant sense of hyper-awareness, like she’s mentally measuring exits and risks. Quieter beats, especially in scenes with Rice, are where she barely has to speak to communicate her fears, frustrations, or that kind of parental exhaustion that comes from always being the responsible one. As much as Season 2 belongs to Garner, it’s also a huge upgrade for Coster-Waldau, whose character was mostly a ghost the first time around and finally gets to be a real person. While some of his choices might rile up Hannah and Bailey, there’s a quiet desperation to Coster-Waldau’s performance as the prodigal patriarch, who needs to be 10 steps ahead, even in scenes that feel more personal within the family.

While Rice isn’t as front and center as last season, she does a lot of emotional heavy lifting. Bailey spends time caught between a need to go forward, but is also unable to stop pulling at the past, and Rice plays this tension flawlessly. She’s especially good at letting Bailey’s yearning show in the space between a beat that lingers too long or a look that turns from curiosity to hurt in a split second, particularly in moments with Greer and an unrecognizable Rita Wilson, who plays Hannah’s estranged and emotionally distant mother, Carole. Wilson refuses to soften her character for likability, which is exactly why she works in the small dose we get.

Related

The 30 Best Apple TV+ Original Series, Ranked

The best of the bunch.

Advertisement

Greer is one of The Last Thing He Told Me‘s most electric additions this season. With an immediate edge to every scene she’s in, her character has a welcoming warmth to her interactions with Bailey, and Greer plays friendly threat with the right amount of control and depth. Her easy chemistry with Garner is so much fun to watch, and while diehard 13 Going on 30 fans will love seeing them interact, that kind of real-life friendship can run the risk of their scenes becoming one-note. That is never the case here. Instead, each moment between them is defined by a push-and-pull filled with distrust and recognition between two women who understand each other more than they want to admit. Supporting Greer are incredible performances from Luke Kirby as her erratic and power-hungry little brother, Teddy Campano, and her cold, watchful father, John Noble, as Frank Campano. The pair’s presence hangs over the series, never once feeling like cartoon crime bosses and making things feel a lot bigger and more dangerous than ever.

‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ Elevates Its Writing in Season 2

Image via Apple TV

Advertisement

One of the biggest improvements in The Last Thing He Told Me this time around is how the writing stops tiptoeing into some of Season 1’s more atmospheric, moody beats. Of course, the show had an effective hook, but it often felt like it was stretching itself to preserve its overall puzzle without moving the story forward. While Season 1 could have gotten away with being a movie for Apple TV, Season 2 earns its status as a series. This time, the plots and characters move with more direction and purpose. The pacing is also a lot tighter, with higher stakes that feel earned instead of carefully plotted. Even when the season leans into more action or larger set pieces like a fight scene or even a car chase, the writing never loses sight of the story’s emotional center.

Another thing that viewers might appreciate is how the season builds suspense not through a mystery, but through the characters’ choices. The danger is never just about who’s following Hannah or Bailey, but in how they’re forced to rely on people they can’t really trust. The show pulls at threads that also alter the story’s tone, creating a sharp paranoia that gives the season a faint edge of noir through morally murky instances, shadowy figures, and decisions that always come with a cost.

Although The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 is informed by Dave’s novels, it’s clear the show has grown beyond the limits of the source material, including taking some liberties in adapting the book for the small screen. As this season deepens its conflicts and expands its world, however, there are some moments where it relies too heavily on explaining itself. Some of it is necessary clarity, but this narrative housekeeping also interrupts the season’s momentum. Overall, The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 is a lot more confident in taking risks, emphasizing the rarity of a follow-up that doesn’t just continue the story but energetically improves the entire show to date.

The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 premieres February 20 on Apple TV.

Advertisement

Release Date

April 13, 2023

Advertisement

Network

Apple TV

Showrunner

Advertisement

Laura Dave, Josh Singer

Directors

Olivia Newman, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Lila Neugebauer

Advertisement

Writers

Josh Singer, Laura Dave, Jamie Rosengard, Isaac Gómez, Harris Danow, Allegra Caldera, Erica Tavera

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 

  Jennifer Garner

  Hannah Hall

• 

  Angourie Rice

  Advertisement

  Bailey Michaels

Advertisement

Advertisement

Pros & Cons

• Season 2 is sharper and more propulsive, turning its slow-burn DNA into real edge-of-your-seat tension.
• Garner is the beating heart of Season 2, playing fatigue and earned capability with a hyper-aware precision that never slips.
• Greer is electric, playing that “friendly threat” with control, depth, and chemistry that crackles opposite Garner.

• A few set pieces flirt with familiar thriller rhythms, even if the show keeps its emotional center intact.
• A later episode over-explains what’s happening, breaking the momentum when it should be sprinting.

Advertisement